UKICC at Lakmé Fashion Week 2026: Showcasing Creativity and Collaboration
Experiencing Mumbai’s vibrant energy, the innovation of Lakmé Fashion Week, and the strengthening connections between the UK and India’s creative industries.
Dr R. Sri Ram, Founder, CEO, and Chair of the UK-India Creative Circle (UKICC), visited Mumbai in March 2026 for Lakmé Fashion Week, one of India’s premier fashion events. Mumbai, a city defined by its relentless energy and entrepreneurial spirit, offered Dr Sri Ram both professional inspiration and personal resonance, reinforcing its status as a leading global creative hub.
Although the planned UKICC delegation could not travel due to geopolitical turbulence in the Middle East, Dr Sri Ram engaged closely with India’s vibrant design community, witnessing the country’s innovation and creativity in fashion firsthand.
India’s Fashion Moment: Heritage Meets Innovation
Lakmé Fashion Week, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India and Reliance Brands Limited, showcased India’s position as a global creative powerhouse. Across the runway and showrooms, a clear emphasis on sustainability, authentic handcraft, and contemporary reinterpretations of tradition was evident.
Designers including Rahul Mishra, Amit Aggarwal, Kartik Kumra (Kartik Research), and CRCLE Studio exemplified this blend of heritage and modernity, creating designs that resonate globally while remaining authentically Indian.
Strengthening UK–India Creative Bridges
Dr Sri Ram’s visit highlighted the importance of collaboration and dialogue. He met with leaders such as Jaspreet Chandok, Sunil Sethi, Neha Kohli Dhingra, and Darshana Gajare, whose work continues to strengthen India’s fashion ecosystem.
A key highlight was the hospitality extended by Harjinder Kang at the High Commissioner’s residence, where Dr Sri Ram and guests from Selfridges connected with designers in an intimate and inspiring setting.
“The UK and India share a dynamic and forward-looking partnership built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition.”
— Harjinder Kang, UK Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, as reported in Business Standard.
Mumbai: A City That Inspires
Beyond fashion, Mumbai’s architecture and cultural spaces stood out to Dr Sri Ram. From the grandeur of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Galeries Lafayette in Fort, and the thoughtfully designed Rahul Mishra showroom in Kala Ghoda, the city demonstrates how heritage and modernity can coexist seamlessly.
These environments are more than backdrop, they reflect the city’s creativity and reinforce India’s leadership in design and innovation.
UKICC’s Ongoing Mission: A Journey of Inspiration
Dr. Sri Ram’s visit to Mumbai underscores UKICC’s commitment to fostering UK–India creative collaboration. The display of Great British Brands by Country & Town House at the High Commissioner’s residence symbolised the UK’s creative strengths and highlighted opportunities for future partnerships.
As UKICC continues to build momentum, initiatives that connect designers, brands, and creative communities across both nations remain a central focus. For Dr Sri Ram, Mumbai continues to be a city of possibility, energy, and ambition—where the creativity, craftsmanship, and vision of India’s designers inspire dialogue, collaboration, and growth between the UK and India’s creative sectors.
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